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Health Bill

I was unable to be present for the earlier debate and I fear that I shall not add significantly to it. I was involved in another debate in the Chamber. However, I hope that the clause will be kept largely as it is. I know that the Minister gave some idea of the Government’s intentions about hotels, care homes and prisons; and a sympathetic response on, if you like, the artistic aspect proposed by the noble Earl, Lord Howe. But the basic fact is that if it were changed to allow the club exemption, that would drive a coach and horses through the clause. A great deal of opposition was building up to the legislation from the pub trade precisely on the basis that if there were a club exemption, that would create a non-level playing field. It would not be level for employees and it would not be level in terms of commercial competition. It would be bitterly opposed. The trade would have been absolutely right. There may be a free vote for all parties on the Bill—and so, in a sense, I am licensed to speak for myself—but I shall do everything to persuade my colleagues to keep this clause as intact as is possible. Clause 3 agreed to. Clause 4 [Additional smoke-free places]: [Amendment No. 23 not moved.]